Description
Product Overview
The Heil PR 31 BW (Bob Workman model) is a highly versatile, compact dynamic microphone designed to deliver the exact full-range sound quality, high-frequency articulation, and diaphragm response of the legendary Heil PR 30 in a shortened, 4-inch chassis. Engineered specifically to solve tight placement challenges on stage and in the studio, the PR 31 BW allows sound engineers to position a world-class large-diaphragm dynamic element under cymbals, inside speaker cabinets, and between congested drum setups without sacrificing audio quality.
Featuring an extraordinary -40 dB of rear and side audio rejection at 180° off-axis, the PR 31 BW virtually eliminates bleed from adjacent instruments, stage monitors, and room reflections. Capable of handling high sound pressure levels up to 146 dB SPL, this short-barrel dynamic mic excels across a wide variety of demanding applications—including guitar speaker cabinets, tom drums, snare, brass, Leslie speakers, acoustic piano, and live vocals.
Key Features
- Full PR 30 Sound in a 4-Inch Body: Incorporates the identical large dynamic element and internal acoustic design of the flagship PR 30 into a shortened form factor for tight-space miking.
- Exceptional Rear Noise Rejection (-40 dB): Industry-leading off-axis rejection at 180° suppresses stage bleed, monitor bleed, and cymbal spill in loud live environments.
- High SPL Handling (146 dB Max SPL): Handles extreme acoustic pressure without clipping, distortion, or overload, making it ideal for loud guitar amps and percussion.
- Versatile Multi-Instrument Compatibility: Excel across a diverse range of applications including drum kit toms, guitar cabs, horns, Leslie speakers, pianos, and vocals.
- Compact & Lightweight Housing: Weighs only 5.5 oz, reducing mechanical strain on boom arms, drum rim mounts, and right-angle XLR stage connections.
- Internal Shock Mounting: Built-in capsule isolation protects against floor vibration, mechanical stand rumbles, and stage thuds.
- Passive Dynamic Operation: Operates via standard 3-pin XLR connection; requires no phantom power or inline preamp boosters.
Heil PR 31 BW vs. Heil PR 28 Comparison Matrix
| Feature / Specification | Heil PR 31 BW | Heil PR 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Design Focus | All-purpose compact dynamic mic (PR 30 capsule in a 4-inch housing) | Purpose-built drum dynamic mic optimized specifically for toms and snare |
| Form Factor | Short-barrel stubby cylindrical housing (4 inches) | Compact specialized drum shell housing with dual-suspension element |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz – 18 kHz (Wide, flat response with detailed presence) | 55 Hz – 18 kHz (Tailored low-end punch and drum stick attack) |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid | Tight Cardioid |
| Rear Rejection (@ 180°) | -40 dB | -35 dB |
| Maximum SPL Handling | 146 dB | 142 dB |
| Output Level (@ 1 kHz) | -52.9 dB | -51 dB |
| Impedance | 370 ohms balanced | 600 ohms balanced |
| Weight | 5.5 oz (155.9 g) | 9 oz (255 g) |
| Primary Applications | Guitar cabs, toms, under-cymbals, horns, piano, Leslie cabinets, vocals | Rack toms, floor toms, snare drums, bongos, and hand percussion |
Product FAQs
Question: How does the Heil PR 31 BW differ from the Heil PR 30?
Answer: The PR 31 BW houses the exact same dynamic element, diaphragm structure, and internal components as the PR 30, delivering identical frequency response (40 Hz – 18 kHz) and -40 dB rear rejection. The key difference is the body size: the PR 31 BW is cut down to a compact 4-inch length, making it much easier to position in tight quarters on stage or in studio drum setups.
Question: Does the Heil PR 31 BW require phantom power?
Answer: No. The Heil PR 31 BW is a passive dynamic microphone and does not require +48V phantom power. It plugs directly into any standard XLR audio interface, mixer, or preamp channel.
Question: What is the difference between the PR 31 BW and the PR 28?
Answer: The PR 31 BW is an all-around utility microphone with a supercardioid pattern and -40 dB rejection that excels on guitar cabs, horns, piano, and drums. The PR 28 is designed specifically for toms and snare drums with a dual-suspension element, 600-ohm impedance, and a frequency response tailored for drum attack and stick impact.
Question: What are the best mounting options for the PR 31 BW on drums and guitar cabs?
Answer: When miking toms or snare, pairing the PR 31 BW with the Heil HH-1 rim mount and a right-angle XLR connector creates a low-profile setup that stays out of the drummer’s stick path. For guitar cabs, its short length allows easy placement directly against grille cloth on cramped stages.
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